Bridging the Gap: Using Microsociological Theory to Understand How Expressed Emotion Predicts Clinical Outcomes

Abstract

Research has shown that EE among families is a strong predictor of relapse for people with severe mental illness. Recent studies have also found the presence of EE in consumer-provider relationships. Despite high consistency in the findings related to EE and relapse, the concept has weak validity as little is known about how exactly it triggers relapse. Microsociological theory provides a framework with which to analyze social interaction and, more specifically, understand how interactions relate to the emotions of pride and shame. By identifying the components of interaction rituals, the theory provides insight into the key processes underlying EE and demonstrates how methodologies based on direct observation have the potential to measure EE with greater validity. This article describes how microsociological theory can be applied to the concept of expressed emotion (EE). Research has shown that EE among families is a strong predictor of relapse for people with severe mental illness. Recent studies have also found the presence of EE in consumerprovider relationships. Despite high consistency in the findings related to EE and relapse, the concept has weak validity as little is known about how exactly it triggers relapse.Microsociological theory provides a framework with which to analyze social interaction and, more specifically, understand how interactions relate to the emotions of pride and shame. By identifying the components of interaction rituals, the theory provides insight into the key processes underlying EE and demonstrates how methodologies based on direct observation have the potential to measure EE with greater validity. This article describes how microsociological theory can be applied to the concept of expressed emotion (EE).

Şizofreni Hastalarına Bakım Verenlerin Duygu İfadelerini Belirlemede Camberwell Aile Görüşmesi ile Duygu İfadesi Ölçeğinin Karşılaştırılması

“…High expressed emotion attitudes of family members are considered as a significant determinant of recurrence in the short term in schizophrenia (9,10). Determining the coping method of the family who undertakes the psychological disease and how the patient can be affected by the family environment by assessment of expressed emotion is important for prevention of recurrence of the disease (1,8,11,12).…”